If you like Sookie Stackhouse, then maybe you'd like Anita Blake by Laurell K. Hamilton. The Rachel Morgan/Hollows series by Kim Harrison is good, and it's not as violent as the Anita Blake books. These are both series, so if you don't like series stay away.

For rather light reading I enjoy the the Sister Jane and Mrs. Murphy mysteries by Rita Mae Brown.

Well, in Jan. of 1995 we were there the week after Christmas. Our SIL played for the Saints and we were going to their game. I think it was on New Year's Day. It had SNOWED about an inch or so the night before and not only that, but the bridges were all covered with ice! My DD and SIL lived on the West Bank at that time, so there was no way to get to the dome w/out crossing a bridge! This was pre-Katrina, but still, they don't exactly have a lot of winter road clearing equip. down there! Fortunately, they de-iced the main bridge that we needed to cross about 30 min. before game time and we made it. In fact, it was so weird seeing a snow covered cruiseship sitting at the dock as we went over another bridge right by downtown!

Basically, you can expect it to be either: fairly chilly (the humidity can make it feel downright cold) or fairly nice! We always go down a day or so after Christmas and sometimes it feels a bit warm to us, but we live in the midwest. In the evenings I usually wear either a wool blazer or leather jacket. And often wear gloves just because my hands get cold easily. A lightweight fleece jacket that you can layer over something else would prob. work o.k. It is not going to feel like you are leaving out of Miami in April, but it might not be freezing either. Watch the weather reports and pack accordingly. Also remember that when you are on the water, it can get breezy and untill you are well down into tropcial waters it is probably going to be pretty cool out on.

it snowed on Christmas 2004 also ...I've been in New Orleans 12 years and grew up in the north so January can be cool, but generally the weather is moderate..bring a sweater and a light jacket just to be safe..it does get cold at night

Currently I am reading the Chet and Bernie mystery series by Spencer Quinn. The stories are narrated by Chet, who happens to be a dog. Bernie is his master and a private investigator. I am awaiting the third in the series "To Fetch a Theif" due out this month. I am second on the list at our library.

At this moment I am reading "Voodoo Histories: The Role of Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History" by David Aaronovitch. It seems appropriate since I got into a debate with a conspiracy nut who claims that our President was groomed from birth as part of a grand plot by the "Illuminati" in thier quest for global domination as was all of his predecessors since Kennedy. In my opinion, if that is true, they are damn poor conspiritors if domination has taken them that long.

__________________
Doug
Crown Princess March 2017
Explorer of the Seas October 2013
Caribbean Princess July 2006, May 2010 & November 2012
Monarch of the Seas November 2008
Crown Princess November 2007
Celebrity Zenith November 2005
Enchantment of the Seas August 2004

I like anything by Jonathan Franzen, Pat Conroy, Kate Atkinson, and Philip Craig, to name a few.
All I need now is a cruise! No seriously, since I gave up all tv years ago, I have a life filled with reading at the end of the day. But, really, I do need another cruise!

Luanne,
I love the Catherine Coulter series of FBI thrillers that starts with The Cove.
Other favorite authors include James Patterson ( Alex Cross series and Women's Murder Club series, especially ), Debbie Macomber, Lilian Jackson Braun, Dianne Mott Davidson, and Jennifer Chiaverini.
I am a fan of what they call "cozy" mysteries.

I usually manage to finish 3 or 4 books a week. I have always loved to read. Have thought about getting one of the electronic readers but don't know if I could give up the feel of a book.

A few authors who have great series..Nancy Cohen, Bad Hair Day mysteries...Elaine Viets...Mystery Shopper, & Dead End Job series,and Laura Levine...when a new book from any one of them comes out..I gotta get them

just finished "Lost In Shangri-La" by Mitchell Zuckoff..great book based upon a true story about a WW2 rescue mission in New Guinea using a glider when the 3 survivors (including a WAC) were surrounded by prehistoic tribe members